Columbus police target retail thieves

Published: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 6:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 6:05 p.m.

The Columbus Police Department has taken a "zero tolerance" approach toward shoplifting and larceny-related crimes.

Four suspects, linked to at least four larcenies in two counties, were arrested by the department from Jan. 9-22.

"These crimes are a leading contributor to the increases in costs of retail merchandise that is passed on to each and every citizen," Chief Chris Beddingfield said in a news release. "According to the FBI, retail theft causes retailers to lose more than $30 billion annually."

On Jan. 9, the police department arrested William Gregory Pearce, 42, of East Flat Rock on charges stemming from a larceny at Advanced Auto Parts. Pearce was charged with felony habitual larceny, possession of stolen property and attempted larceny.

He was being held in the Polk County Jail in lieu of a $5,000 secured bond. Pearce was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

On Jan. 13, Columbus police arrested Tianna Marie Eplee, 25, of Fletcher, and Trinity Burns McCombs, 26, of Asheville on charges arising from a larceny at Family Dollar.

Beddingfield said Eplee was on probation at the time and "had absconded." She was charged with felony larceny by defeating an anti-theft device, felony identity theft, felony possession of stolen property, felony conspiracy to commit larceny, resisting a public officer and attempted larceny.

Beddingfield said she was also wanted in Lincoln County and was served with outstanding failure to appear warrants, as well as a probation violation. Eplee was being held in the Polk County jail in lieu of a $73,000 secured bond.

McCombs was charged with felony larceny by defeating an anti-theft device, felony possession of stolen property, felony conspiracy to commit larceny, attempted larceny and transporting an opened container of spirituous liquor. He was released after posting a $22,000 secured bond.

Eplee and McCombs were also charged by the Saluda Police Department with misdemeanor larceny stemming from an incident at the Saluda Dollar General earlier in the day. Their next court date is set for Wednesday.

On Jan. 22, Columbus police arrested Cory Shane Lindsey, 25, of Mill Spring on charges stemming from a larceny at CVS Pharmacy. Lindsey was charged with felony larceny by defeating an anti-theft device, misdemeanor larceny and injury to personal property.

He was being held in the Polk County Jail in lieu of an $8,000 secured bond. Lindsey is set to appear again in Polk County District Court on his charges Feb. 13.

<p>The Columbus Police Department has taken a "zero tolerance" approach toward shoplifting and larceny-related crimes. </p><p>Four suspects, linked to at least four larcenies in two counties, were arrested by the department from Jan. 9-22.</p><p>"These crimes are a leading contributor to the increases in costs of retail merchandise that is passed on to each and every citizen," Chief Chris Beddingfield said in a news release. "According to the FBI, retail theft causes retailers to lose more than $30 billion annually."</p><p>On Jan. 9, the police department arrested William Gregory Pearce, 42, of East Flat Rock on charges stemming from a larceny at Advanced Auto Parts. Pearce was charged with felony habitual larceny, possession of stolen property and attempted larceny. </p><p>He was being held in the Polk County Jail in lieu of a $5,000 secured bond. Pearce was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.</p><p>On Jan. 13, Columbus police arrested Tianna Marie Eplee, 25, of Fletcher, and Trinity Burns McCombs, 26, of Asheville on charges arising from a larceny at Family Dollar. </p><p>Beddingfield said Eplee was on probation at the time and "had absconded." She was charged with felony larceny by defeating an anti-theft device, felony identity theft, felony possession of stolen property, felony conspiracy to commit larceny, resisting a public officer and attempted larceny.</p><p>Beddingfield said she was also wanted in Lincoln County and was served with outstanding failure to appear warrants, as well as a probation violation. Eplee was being held in the Polk County jail in lieu of a $73,000 secured bond. </p><p>McCombs was charged with felony larceny by defeating an anti-theft device, felony possession of stolen property, felony conspiracy to commit larceny, attempted larceny and transporting an opened container of spirituous liquor. He was released after posting a $22,000 secured bond.</p><p>Eplee and McCombs were also charged by the Saluda Police Department with misdemeanor larceny stemming from an incident at the Saluda Dollar General earlier in the day. Their next court date is set for Wednesday.</p><p>On Jan. 22, Columbus police arrested Cory Shane Lindsey, 25, of Mill Spring on charges stemming from a larceny at CVS Pharmacy. Lindsey was charged with felony larceny by defeating an anti-theft device, misdemeanor larceny and injury to personal property.</p><p>He was being held in the Polk County Jail in lieu of an $8,000 secured bond. Lindsey is set to appear again in Polk County District Court on his charges Feb. 13.</p>